FirstNet, built with AT&T, the 5G network built with and for America’s first responders, has announced that it is bringing new multi-layered coverage and unprecedented network insight to more than 7 million public safety connections.
FirstNet already gives responders coverage across the nation’s largest footprint, but in a recent announced it has been highlighted how 20,000 square miles of terrestrial wireless coverage were added in the last year.
This grows the public safety’s network to more than 2.99 million square miles across urban, suburban, rural, territory and tribal areas.
Chief Jeffrey Ackerman, Town of Duck Police Department, in North Carolina shared: “When our officers were deployed to impacted areas of North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, FirstNet was there for us.
“With reliable connectivity on FirstNet, we were able to communicate with our team and other agencies while in remote areas. From search and rescue to welfare checks and even connecting an isolated resident to her husband, FirstNet helped us better serve the local community.”
In partnership with the First Responder Network Authority, FirstNet have created an expansive network that supplements macro coverage with layers of in-building and on-the-go solutions that deliver dedicated connectivity for public safety and the essential services they rely on, like utilities and hospitals.
Regardless of how first responders are connected to the FirstNet network, they always have priority and preemption across 5G, LTE and Band 14.
FirstNet have also shared how it is making advancements with AST SpaceMobile to deliver space-based cellular connectivity that supports features that first responders need. Acknowledging successful testing of mission-critical capabilities such as push-to-talk services, because even in hard-to-reach areas, public safety needs more than simple text messaging.
Indoor locations like basements, stairwells and garages are some of the most difficult places to reliably connect. As the only network able to offer public safety 6x the signal power of other carriers, FirstNet have expanded its portfolio of FirstNet MegaRange coverage solutions with the new Nextivity SHIELD MegaFi 2 router.
Available in fixed, portable and in-vehicle form factors, these routers are 5G-enabled high-power user equipment (HPUE) that provide better building penetration, broader coverage, and faster uplink.
As part of the FirstNet Authority’s ongoing investments, thousands of first responder agencies across the country have also received free Cell Booster Pros.
With the enhanced Network Status Map on FirstNet Central, users can now quickly access detailed and current information on the state of the network and key applications, including maintenance and restoration updates and the location of on-air portable cell sites from the dedicated FirstNet fleet.
Scott Agnew, President of First Net, A&T shared: “As public safety’s one and only network – not a commercial slice of a network built for the general population – our unwavering commitment to reliable and resilient communications is foundational to everything we do,.
“The breadth of FirstNet coverage, combined with our unparalleled network visibility, gives first responders the capabilities they need to keep our communities safer.
“Whether a first responder is in a remote area after disasters like Hurricane Helene or in the middle of New York City, FirstNet gives them the peace of mind that they will be connected – that’s the FirstNet promise.”
A new multi-layered coverage and unprecedented network insight will be brought to more than 7 million public safety connections, announces FirstNet.
